Section archive - Israel Education

The Israel Literacy Measurement Project is an attempt to create a valid and reliable measure of knowledge of Israel. Beginning with the question, “what does it mean to be literate about Israel?” the team worked to establish assessment standards. Drawing on definitions of literacy in other social science disciplines and in consultation with subject experts, the research team developed a test bank of validated Israel-related questions. The question bank can be used with college-aged young adults to assess the extent and content of their Israel-related knowledge.

Nearly 100 Jewish professionals and leaders gathered earlier this month – along with experts in Jewish, Israel, and experiential education – at the third Birthright Israel Fellows training seminar. This cadre of specially-trained Birthright Israel staff continues to grow and play a significant role in the ongoing Jewish journeys of trip participants. Implemented by Birthright Israel in partnership with the iCenter for Israel Education, the professional development program aims to increase the quality of the Birthright Israel experience through more highly skilled staff with better tools at their disposal. The four-day seminar in Chicago included interactive trainings and in-depth conversations with master educators focusing on a range of areas, including how effective storytelling is a tool for education and engagement; understanding group dynamics and the importance of relationship building; how to create meaningful ritual moments; and how themes and values can be incorporated into site visits in Israel. Additional learning sessions focused on everything from different profiles of Birthright Israel participants to key strategies for facilitating small group discussions.

Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is a 10-month fellowship for college graduates aged 21 to 30—and it's your path to the experience of a lifetime. Boost your resume by developing leadership skills and gaining international experience. Immerse yourself in Israeli society and become an integral member of the city in which you live, teach and volunteer. The cost? Just $1,000 covers your flight, housing, monthly cash stipend and amenities. Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is a partnership of Masa Israel Journey, Israel’s Ministry of Education, and The Jewish Agency for Israel. Created to address the achievement gap in Israel’s public education system, the program invites talented, English-speaking college graduates to Israel as English teachers’ aides. It’s a challenging, rewarding experience for our Teaching Fellows, and a vital investment in Israel’s future.

The Jewish Agency for Israel is organizing a model-Knesset event in Brazil for 120 young Jews and non-Jews who will simulate the work of the parliament in Jerusalem. The “Model Knesset” event, which is scheduled to take place in Sao Paulo next month for the second consecutive year, will feature two days of mock votes and deliberations meant to simulate the Knesset. The event on Sept. 6-7 is designed so that all major Jewish streams and political movements are represented, according to a statement about the project published last week on the website of CONIB, the umbrella group of Brazil’s Jewish communities. Delegates will include Israeli Russians, Ethiopians, Haredi Orthodox Jews and secular Jews under age 26.